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BlueBird44
Top Member
USA
1639 Posts |
 Posted - 07/06/2001 : 08:22:23 AM
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When you get a new bus how do they decide who is going to drive this bus. Also how do they decide which bus they are going to take off. Say do they give the new bus to route A take route A bus and gives it to B and then makes B a spare?
Tyler-Formly known as Wayne Lifeguard. |
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Bus Boy 39
Top Member
USA
1315 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2001 : 08:50:58 AM
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I would say that they give the new buses to the drivers that have been with the company the most. And for that A & B thing, I prob. would be like this: Bus A might be a 1995 Blue Bird GMC and Bus B might be a 1989 Int. Wayne. Bus A since it's newer would be replaced by the Wayne becuase the driver is a newer one and/or the bus is getting old. Bus B would now be used as a spare.
"Blue Birds For Ever!" |
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Sherm
Top Member
USA
621 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2001 : 09:11:57 AM
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Depends on the mileage, too. Sometimes, new buses are used on high-mileage routes and the buses formerly on those routes are used in a lower-mileage setting.
I use newer buses for spares and charters; after 2-3 years, they are retired to a route. Also this way, all the drivers get to drive the "new bus."
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Sherm
Top Member
USA
621 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2001 : 09:12:03 AM
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Depends on the mileage, too. Sometimes, new buses are used on high-mileage routes and the buses formerly on those routes are used in a lower-mileage setting.
I use newer buses for spares and charters; after 2-3 years, they are retired to a route. Also this way, all the drivers get to drive the "new bus."
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Captain Larz
Senior Member
USA
78 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2001 : 10:02:07 AM
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Most of our new busses go straight to Milwaukee. There is a law there that school busses cannot be more than 5 years old. After the busses reach that point they are transferred to one of our other terminals.
Larz |
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Ricky
Advanced Member
USA
352 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2001 : 10:36:17 AM
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My school district takes several things into consideration when deciding who gets a new bus. Drivers who take care of their buses usually get the new buses. My district doesn't like for new buses to be on any rough, gravel roads so any drivers that have routes like that won't get a new bus. In my district, for the most part, when you get a bus you keep that bus until it is retired. We have drivers who have had the same bus for 16 years. As for how they decide which buses to replace, that depends. Most of the time the oldest buses are retired and used as spares for 1 year. They are then sold and replaced by the new buses. There are exceptions to this rule. If a bus is in extremely bad condition for whatever reason, it will be retired and replaced before a bus that is older and in better condition is replaced. We have replaced a 1983 model bus because of its condition, while we kept using 1981 models because they were still in good running condition.
Stephen R. Adamson (AmTran11) |
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wagonmaster
Top Member
USA
2298 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2001 : 6:09:45 PM
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We bid routes with the bus numbers attached, so that the driver knows before hand that he or she will be driving a 1999 77 pass. bus with a/c or a 1995 65 pass. bus without a/c, etc. No surprises for anyone, at least at first. We ALL have to flexible if, for instance, the count shows that the expected kids from a certain neighborhood didn't ride the bus and our 84 passenger bus wasn't being fully utilized, we would swap it for a 77 pass that would fit the run.
The new buses always replace the oldest buses at each compound. The best of the older buses in terms of mileage and overall condition are kept as spares, or utilized as school based activity buses. The oldest are sold at public auction.(the last group of 65 pass. 1991 Bluebird/Internationals averaged a little over $11,300 each.) They had over 200,000 miles on them but those DT-360 engines were all running strong.
Joe
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Thomas00
Top Member
USA
546 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2001 : 1:00:42 PM
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Ours new buses is place on a high-mileage routes.So mostly of the new buses go to the M To M drivers(like me).
Well I didn't get a new bus for the 2000-2001 school year,they gave me a 1999 Thomas International.
1.We have two terminals so we slit the new buses into two group.One group of buses go to the north terminals and the other group of buses stay at the south terminals.The south terminals is where they bring all the new buses when they arrived from the manufactory.
2.When the new buses arrived at the north terminals they are giving to the drivers who live south county but do north county routes.The rest of the new buses is giving to the north county drivers.
3.At the south terminals mostly the new buses are giving to the M To M drivers.The rest of the new buses go to the south county drivers.
The south terminals is more likely to have more new buses than the north terminals because we have more drivers that have high-mileage routes.
Thomas265 |
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John Farr
Top Member
USA
642 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2001 : 11:43:21 AM
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We have two bids -
In the first one in August routes are given capacities and drivers select their bus from a list of available buses with that capacity. Some routes have assigned buses because of wheelchair needs or route mileage (low mileage buses on longer routes).
In the second bid at the end of October we keep the buses as bid in August unless we have a reason to switch. As Joe said, everyone must be flexible, as capacity needs change during the year. Since most of our large buses are 84 pax, this is not much of a problem.
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John Farr
Top Member
USA
642 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2001 : 11:49:09 AM
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Before bid we pull out the buses we want to use as spares. Even though our oldest buses are in excellent condition, we tend to use middle-aged buses as spares so that drivers do not feel like they are getting "stuck" with the oldest buses when theirs' is out of service.
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busdriver1115
Senior Member
USA
101 Posts |
Posted - 08/01/2001 : 5:08:44 PM
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At MSD Perry township in Indianapolis, we tend to replace our oldest units every year with the new buses and make the ones we take off the route a spare bus I have been driving a 1993 Bluebird Transit 84 passenger since I got the routwe in 1997 it had 70,000 miles on it when I got the route it currently has just under 151,000 miles on it mostly highway due to routes! I drive 100 miles a day and sometimes over that! Our spare buses are 1992 and 1993 Bluebird Transit 84 passenger busses and I think we have several 66 passenger 95 or 96 models we use for spares since most of our fleet is transit style buses! My old bus was 1015 replacement bus is 1115! New bus replaced that number 1015!
Jonathan E Wenzlaff |
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AmTranIntFE01
Senior Member
USA
84 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2001 : 08:56:12 AM
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Our Transportation Director looks at many things, but to tell you the truth, it REALLY helps your chances of getting a new bus if you are one of his "favorites". I have a new bus this year. I wonder if this means something?
Will
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thomas86_a
Top Member
USA
4413 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2001 : 12:47:35 PM
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I am one of the Favorites, (supervisor is a relative), and I have the most senority so I could have a new bus every time we get one but I don't want a new bus all the time. I currently drive a 98 Thomas- we received a new bus in 99, and will be receiving a new one sometime soon. The new buses are always going on trips. I drove 86-A up until it was time for it to be turned into a spare. I kept that bus forever because it was the last bus with a manual transmision. I will probably keep this bus until it is time to become a spare. I have been lucky over the past 22 years I havn't had to drive anything but 2 Waynes, and now 2 Thomas buses. No Blue Birds and I like it that way!
Posts dedicated to my favorite bus 86-A:
A 1986 Thomas/International Conventional
65 pass. 360 Gas engine, 5 speed manual transmission
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Busrepair
Senior Member
121 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2001 : 1:16:22 PM
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The biggest determining factor here is capacity. We may have a newer bus as a spare but it is because the capacity of the older bus is more than the newer one. Keep in mind we are a small MR/DD board compared to what some local districts are. We , up untill, last year did not bid or buy a new bus since 1993. As you can imagine it is frustrating because some of our older buses are front loading wheelchair lift buses (meaning the lift is in the front) and the seats are small but if you go prior to that the seats are full size even with the lift up front.1989 model internationals with ward bodies.
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cowlitzcoach
Advanced Member
USA
325 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2001 : 05:44:05 AM
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The assignment of new buses can become a major headache for everyone concerned if the process isn't perceived to fair and logical.
As one person has said, being a favorite can help. And when that becomes a factor hard feelings will be the result.
I have seen several districts that put the new buses on nothing but spare or trip bus status. But more and more districts are purchasing specific trip buses--i.e. luggage compartments, highway gearing, activity seating, etc.
Many times a new bus assignment is determined by the route. The long routes get the new buses with the current bus moving into town and doing the low mileage routes.
Some buses are purchased with specific routes in mind. If you have a route with really steep grades lower gearing and some sort of auxillary braking (Jakes, retarders, etc.)might be spe'c'ed. If that is the case the bus usually spends the whole service life on that specific route.
If all things are equal, assigning buses by driver seniority is usually the least disruptive way of assigning buses.
In most cases, regardless of how you do it, someone is going to get upset.
Good luck.
Mark O.
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John Farr
Top Member
USA
642 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2001 : 07:55:34 AM
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Since new buses are on warranty it makes more sense to me to have the bus in use as much as possible. It also helps to have the same senior driver assigned to it for a year - who better can detect possible warranty issues.
Edited by - john farr on 08/04/2001 08:01:26 AM |
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Stevebus42
Advanced Member
USA
363 Posts |
Posted - 08/12/2001 : 08:14:17 AM
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In Norman we use to put them on high millage routes. However about two years ago the policy changed. We now use them on our low millage routes to get the maximum waranty benefits. Let the manufacture get all the bugs out .
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Blake913
Senior Member
USA
195 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2001 : 2:49:08 PM
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Our buses usually stay on the route it is assigned to. Like my bus is an 89 model. It has always been on that route and is due for a new one this year. Our 72 pass. conventionls are 12 yr buses and 89/90 pass. transits are 12-15 yrs. Our 89 model conventional buses were just replaced with 2001 Blue Bird Internationals. I still love my transit!
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Steven A.Rosenow
Top Member
USA
1926 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2001 : 4:11:52 PM
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In the Shelton School District (Washington State) the usual deciding factor is did the bus replace an older surplused bus. Thats how things usually go up here. If we surplus a bus, the replacement for the surplused bus picks up that route. And so on and so forth.
"Gillig Buses - The BEST NEVER REST!!" |
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MPDBUS1@aol.com
New Member
USA
2 Posts |
Posted - 08/27/2001 : 10:27:36 AM
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This is how it works for me: Bus #156 is a spare with 150,000 miles, bus 174 is on a route with 100,000 and bus 247 is new and has just arrived. #156 gets sold, #174 becomes a spare and the driver of #174 get the new #247. One minor twist however. The driver who cares for their bus the most during the year might rate to get a new one out of the 6 or 7 that are delivered each year and have theirs handed down, but not often.
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BusBoy
Top Member
USA
2042 Posts |
Posted - 08/31/2001 : 04:35:09 AM
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Most of the time new buses go to the bus that has too many miles on it!! But I know that at times a new bus will go to those who take good care of a bus and the ones who don't will be given another bus that is already in the system!
Edited by - busboy on 08/31/2001 12:56:54 PM
Edited by - busboy on 08/31/2001 12:57:37 PM |
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Bus Boy 39
Top Member
USA
1315 Posts |
Posted - 08/31/2001 : 05:42:34 AM
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Most of our new buses go out by senority. My driver has been with the company the longest, and she drives a 1997, so she should be next in line for a new one. The old buses are retired (due to age or problem with bus) or handed down to a driver who needs a bigger bus or an up-grade.
"Blue Birds Rule!" |
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Stevebus42
Advanced Member
USA
363 Posts |
Posted - 09/09/2001 : 11:33:36 AM
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We use to put the new buses on high millage routes and shift buses around. But it actually make more sense to put the new buses on low millage routes to gain the most out of your waranty. This is the proceedure we use now.
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wagonmaster
Top Member
USA
2298 Posts |
Posted - 09/13/2001 : 06:21:41 AM
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Since ours is an unlimited mile warranty, we do just the opposite and put the new buses on the highest mile runs that we can. on Florida's five year warranty, it doesn't matter if we get 50,000 or 250,000 in five years, its covered!!
Joe
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BlueBird44
Top Member
USA
1639 Posts |
Posted - 09/14/2001 : 7:45:12 PM
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I just got home from riding on a 3 day old All American they picked this bus up in LayFette Georgia. THis is the secon year I riden on a Brand new All Ameican. We also a women who owns Blue Bird International just bought a Thomas Freigtliner.New note all buses in my state that are new have to have strobe lights just passed that law.
BlueBird44- Dedicated to 89 TC2000's Bus #44 out of service for the 2nd year still my FAVORITE! |
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Thomas Ford 85-16
Top Member
USA
4177 Posts |
Posted - 09/25/2001 : 3:46:35 PM
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I'm not sure how my district decides on what route to put the bus on, but it's partly affected by capacity. The new buses will often replace the oldest buses. For spares my district will often use a middle aged bus (like a 97) or any bus that's not being used at the time. However, the bus drivers get to pick their routes, so they partially get to pick their bus. First the people with the most senority pick their route, and then the newer drivers pick.
Stop at: www.mikesbusyard.cjb.net |
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Steven A.Rosenow
Top Member
USA
1926 Posts |
Posted - 09/25/2001 : 3:59:46 PM
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I cannot see how anyone can consider even a 1997 bus as old or "middle aged." Where I am from, buses to be considered "middle aged" are in the pre-77 range! We still run some pre-70 Gilligs and Crowns in MANY districts!
If thats the case (calling a 1990s bus "old or middle aged") then I'll eat my hat!
"Preserving America's best - THE GILLIG! - THE BEST NEVER REST" http://www.geocities.com/gilligcoaches/ |
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wagonmaster
Top Member
USA
2298 Posts |
Posted - 09/26/2001 : 08:12:54 AM
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Here we go comparing apples to oranges again!!
Steven,
Your buses are much more expensive and heavy duty that most standard medium duty buses. Thats why they cost much more. Most(or many) of us use buses that are retired after 8-12 years and replaced. A 1997 65 passenger conventional(for example) is 5 years old this year by most standards and thus, middle aged.
Joe
Edited by - wagonmaster on 09/26/2001 08:13:31 AM |
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Bus Boy 39
Top Member
USA
1315 Posts |
Posted - 09/26/2001 : 11:54:38 AM
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I agree with Wagonmaster.
"Gotta Love Those Birdies!" |
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Jared
Top Member
USA
1865 Posts |
Posted - 09/26/2001 : 8:32:20 PM
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no, 1997 isnt middle aged for our buses atleast, and if you havent guessed, I am from Maryland and we run Thomas/BlueBird/Amtran/Wayne/and some crappy Crown by Carpenters. we keep buses for 14 years, so 97 isnt exactly middle aged.
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Bus Boy 39
Top Member
USA
1315 Posts |
Posted - 09/27/2001 : 03:34:38 AM
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Well at least for my district 1995-1997 is middle aged. Our oldest bus is a 1990 and we only have one. It was just repainted last year. Our spares are 1996 and a 1999. All of the regular run buses are: 4 1995's, one 1999, and the rest are 2000 and up.
"Gotta Love Those Birdies!" |
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thomasvista2012
Top Member
USA
747 Posts |
Posted - 09/27/2001 : 04:35:09 AM
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Around here, buses are usuall ran for 10 years, then made a spare for another 2-3. As much as I'll tell you, they could easily get a few more years out of the buses than they already do. Our district is supposed to have a "10 Year Replacment Program", but the costs they'd save by running the buses for a few more years is great. The older buses tend to require less maintenance than the new ones, and ours at least are in fairly good condition.
In my book, a 1997 bus IS NOT middle aged. That bus should last until 2012, and is nowhere near it's "prime" yet.
"Gotta love those buses!" |
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MI bus fan
Active Member
USA
13 Posts |
Posted - 09/27/2001 : 3:37:50 PM
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My home district just purchased a pair of All-American FEs. They're running on longer routes. Usually the new buses go out on the longer runs and the older ones stay close to town. The attempt is to even out the mileage on the buses, so we don't have a 91 with 100K on it and a 92 with 140K, etc.
Seniority can play a role in this, but the more senior driver would have to drive the long route to get the new bus.
Blue Bird rules! |
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Jared
Top Member
USA
1865 Posts |
Posted - 09/27/2001 : 11:00:54 PM
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yeah, and what exaclty does middle aged mean anyway? I mean, if you are a district who sells your buses and actually makes some money on them, then why the hell would you keep them for longer than 10 years? Sell the damn things, when they are still worth something, ( weather it be mileage or wear and tear ). Just because you sell your buses after 10 years doesnt mean that they dont get more use out of them. so I guess this redefines middle age. What do you think middle aged actually is for a standard school bus ?
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BusBoy
Top Member
USA
2042 Posts |
Posted - 09/28/2001 : 07:55:06 AM
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In Indiana we keep them up to 12 years. Some we have kept longer, but just depends on the mileage. As Joe stated we really can't afford a Crown or Gillig and they would be way too much bus for many rual areas.
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Thomas Ford 85-16
Top Member
USA
4177 Posts |
Posted - 10/01/2001 : 3:42:20 PM
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I'm sorry to start an argument here. We've had these 97 Thomas EF's for a while and we've gotten a LOT of use out of them. I guess I shouldn't have called them middle aged, I know that they can get a lot more use out of them. I said middle aged in comparison to how long my district keeps the buses, which is about 13 years. So, 5 out of 13 years is kind of in the middle. I'll say again that I know they can get a lot of use out of them. My bus is 16 years old and still running strong. I'm sorry, I should have been more specific.
-The BusBoy
Stop at: www.buses.cjb.net |
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New Buses
